Category: Contemporary

It’s been two weeks of silence.I trust y’all have been fairing on well.First,I would like to appreciate God for seeing us through the election season…up and down, valleys and hills,windings and meanders are how I can describe this past season.If it were not for God, the situation we are facing or have faced could have been worse.All the way God deserves our gratitude.

That aside,I have something that has been ringing in my mind for the past few days,I thought I should share with you,but before I begin,let’s look at a piece I came across…

An ageing king launched a competition among ten boys because he realised he had no one to take over the throne.He gave the boys one seed of corn each and instructed them to go home and nurture them for three weeks.The one who does his best will be heir.In a certain home, a boys’ seed did not germinate despite his efforts.His friends advised him to buy another seed and plant it but his God fearing parents who taught the boy honesty refused.All the 9 boys were successful. The day came and the king kept moving down the line till he came to the last boy who was shaking in fear.The boy explained what happened to his seed.The king went with the boy to the throne and said, “I gave these boys boiled seeds and boiled seeds cannot sprout.If a king must have one quality,it must be honesty and only this boy passed the test.”

Imagine this.Living an integral and honest life is never easy.Infact,it is so frustrating and nerve-racking,but at the very end,lies a price,so refreshing and nice.Worth every principle you hold dear.
The little boys’ parents cared less about the throne. Compared to the values of integrity and honesty instilled in the boy, the throne had absolutely no value.The former stands the test of time.I can bet my last coin!

There is a Greek philosopher called Heraclitus who said, “The soul is dyed the colour of its’ thoughts.Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day.The content of your character is your choice.Day by day,what you do is what you become.Your integrity is your destiny-It is the light that guides your way.”

Allow me to echo what he said, “DAY BY DAY,WHAT YOU DO IS WHO YOU BECOME.”

You are not a liar,for example, but if you start lying today and do the same whenever a situation presents itself,then slowly but surely it becomes so natural and eventually you become a pathological liar. Flip side,if you stand for truth today,despite opposition and do the same tomorrow or whenever a situation presents itself,it becomes a part of you.Bending backwards to conform becomes obsolete!…Wow!…

Day by day,what you do,is who you become.

When all is said and done,what does the Bible say about this?…(Oh how I love the Word of God)…

The man of integrity walks securely,but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9,NIV)

One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much and one who is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much. (Luke 16:10,ESV)

Finally brothers,whatever is true,whatever is honorable,whatever is just,whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable.If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,think about these things. (Phillipians 4:8,ESV)

Not by way of eye-service,as people-pleasers,but as servants of Christ,doing the will of God from the heart. (Ephesians 6:6,ESV)

I love what the last scripture quoted above says…not as people-pleasers but servants of Christ…Choosing to maintain your integrity and live in honesty should be done not for people to see how ‘good’ or ‘holy’ you are,but because you are servants of Christ.

The second scripture quoted above,Luke 16:10,reminds me of a few days ago.I bought a number of sweets(I have a ‘sweet-tooth’)…I decided to put some in the pocket of my jacket and eventually forgot about them.It happened that my brother wore that very jacket.On wearing the same jacket,I realised that some sweets were missing.My brother took some!…As a result,I scolded him like there was no tomorrow. Mom could not understand why I made a mountain out of a molehill, but deep down I knew why I did what I did.

You know what friends,vices begin at a very early age with very petty misdeeds that can be easily brushed aside.Theft,bribery,tribalism,nepotism,corruption at large starts with a stolen sweet,copied homework,isolating a friend, ‘mom if you do this for me, I will do this for you’ kinda thing…These may look very petty and innocent but in the long-run,may cost your child’s,little brother or sister’s life!…Watch out for those tiny-winy misdeeds,in any case a mango tree grows from a very tiny harmless looking seed.Right?…

People never crumble in a day…It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away.

I could go on and on and on.This subject is inexhaustible… Better be prepared for more of such from me…(Lol!).God does not take this subject lightly, how much more us!…Mere mortals!Lack of integrity and honesty has cost fortunes, tarnished images,destroyed brands and stripped off titles.It is a bottomless pit…Is it worth it?

In the midst of a very dark world,where shortcuts are ‘the way’ to earning recognition and drawing a multitude,why not stand out from the crowd and be the light?